Avalanche of garbage in Kampala leaves at least 17 dead and hundreds injured.

Last Friday, the city of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, became the scene of a tragedy that has left at least 17 dead and hundreds injured. An avalanche of garbage, accumulated over the years in a landfill in Kiteezi, unexpectedly unleashed, dragging homes and vehicles in its path. This catastrophic event has highlighted the precarious living conditions of those residing near this waste dump, which has served as the city's only landfill since 1996. The magnitude of the accident has shocked the population and authorities, who are on high alert for the possibility that the death toll may rise. The avalanche of waste traveled several kilometers, transforming what was once a populated area into a sea of garbage, where despair and anguish have replaced normalcy. Local reports have begun to clarify what happened, pointing not only to the accumulation of waste but also to the recent heavy rains that have battered the region. The government has indicated that these rains may have triggered the collapse of the landfill, suggesting "structural failures" as one of the main causes of the disaster. The consequences of this event have been devastating, leaving hundreds of people displaced and homeless, and raising serious questions about waste management in the Ugandan capital. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), along with the Uganda Police and other ministries and organizations, has mobilized to carry out rescue operations in an attempt to find and recover victims trapped beneath the mountain of garbage. The images emerging from the disaster site are heartbreaking. Entire families have lost everything they owned in a matter of minutes, while rescue efforts are complicated by the instability of the ground and the constant threat of new avalanches. The Red Cross and several civil organizations are working tirelessly to support those affected, providing medical care and humanitarian assistance amid this crisis. President Yoweri Museveni, aware of the gravity of the situation, has made an urgent call to action. Through a message on his X account, he requested "immediate explanations" regarding the practices and conditions of the landfill. Museveni also questioned the logic of allowing the construction of homes so close to a site deemed dangerous and proposed a thorough review of waste management policies in the country. However, this is not the first time alarms have been raised about the situation in Kiteezi. Erias Lukwago, head of the municipal authority, had already warned in January about the dangers posed by the overflow of waste to the residents of the area. Despite these warnings, appropriate measures had not been implemented, raising questions about the government’s responsibility and response capability in emergency situations. In the midst of this tragedy, the community of Kampala faces the challenge of rebuilding. The magnitude of the disaster has left a deep wound, not only in terms of lost lives but also in the citizens' trust in their institutions. The lack of attention to environmental and infrastructure issues has been a recurring theme in Uganda, and this event may serve as a necessary wake-up call for concrete actions to be taken in the future. The repercussions of the garbage avalanche will not only be felt in the short term but will also force a reconsideration of how waste is managed in a country facing increasing urban and environmental challenges. The need for an efficient and safe waste management system has become more urgent than ever, and the hope is that this tragedy will act as a catalyst for real change in waste management policies in Uganda. The road to recovery will be long and difficult, but amid adversity, the community must come together to overcome this tragic event and advocate for a safer and more sustainable future. The voices of the citizens of Kampala must be heard, and pressure on the authorities must continue until effective measures are implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all.